My thoughts on the Phillies season.

A two-run double by Ryan Howard in the eleventh gives the Phils an extra-inning win over the Padres, 4-2.

The two-run double in the top of the eleventh by Ryan Howard gives the Phils the win in extra-innings as they defeat the Padres, 4-2.

The Padres took the lead in the first as, with a runner on first, and with nobody out, Jason Bartlett hits an RBI triple, knocking in Cameron Maybin, who had earlier singled, giving the Padres a 1-0 lead. The Phils then tied the game up at one-all in the fourth as, with one man on, and with two men out, Ben Francisco hits an RBI triple, scoring Jimmy Rollins, who had earlier walked. The Padres retook the lead in the fifth as, with a runner on third, and with two men out, Nick Hundley hits an RBI double, scoring Maybin, who had earlier singled, went to second base on Bartlett’s ground out, 6-3, then moved up to third on Orlando Hudson’s ground out, 4-3. The Phils then retied the game at two-all in the sixth as, with one man on, and with one man out, Rollins hits an RBI single, scoring Pete Orr, who had just doubled. The bullpens then took over, with neither side letting a man reach base, forcing the game into extra-innings. The Phils then took the lead in the eleventh as, with runners on the corners, and with two men out, Ryan Howard hits a two-run double on a ball that left fielder Ryan Ludwick misplayed, knocking in Placido Polanco, who had earlier singled, went to second base on Shane Victorino’s sacrifice bunt, 1-4, and then stopped at third on Orr’s ground out, 6-3, and Rollins, who had been intentionally walked, giving the Phils a 4-2 lead. That would be the final score as Ryan Madson recorded his second straight save as he shut down the Padres in their half of the eleventh.

Joe Blanton received a no-decision as he pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out three. Danys Baez and Antonio Bastardo pitched two 1-2-3 innings, with Bastardo striking out the side. Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 2.25) gets the win as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Ryan Madson recorded his second save as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit. Tim Stauffer also received a no-decision as he pitched six innings, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams and Heath Bell combined for three 1-2-3 innings, striking out three batters (one batter each) between them. Chad Qualls (0-2, 3.97) took the lost as he pitched one and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on a hit and a walk, as he struck out a batter. Cory Luebke pitched a third of an inning, giving up two hits.

The Phils had seven hits in the game, with Ben Francisco leading the team with two hits (Single, Triple, RBI). Pete Orr (Double), Jimmy Rollins (Single, RBI), Ryan Howard (Double, 2 RBIs), Wilson Valdez (Single) and Placido Polanco (Single), had the other five Phils’ hits.

The Phils (14-6, 1st NL East) will conclude their four-game series with the Padres (8-13, 5th NL West) with an afternoon game. The game will be played at Petco Park and will begin at 4:05 pm EDT (1:05 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound their ace Roy Halladay (2-1, 2.83), who is coming off a bad start against the Brewers on April 19, as he went six and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on ten hits and two walks, while striking out three, in the Phils’ 9-0 lost. He will be looking to get back on the winning track at the punchless Padres’ expense. The Padres will try to counter with Wade LeBlanc (0-0, -.–) who will be making his first start this season, trying to stop the Padres present slide. The Phils will be going for the series sweep with the Doc on the mound.

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